Electric sign



April 19, 1932. L. A KOCH, JR 1,854,654 I ELECTRIC SIGN Filed June 8, 1931 3 Sheet s-Sheet l gmmto a April 19, 1932. A. KOCH; JR

ELECTRIC I SIGN Filed June 8, 19:51 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 19,1932. L. A. KOCH, JR v1354,65 v

ELECTRIC SIGN F'iled June 8, 1931' 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 19, 1932 LOUIS A. KOCH, JR", LOUIlISVILLE, KENTUCKY ELECTRIC SIGN Application filed June 8, 1931.

My invention relates to electric signs and particularly to those in which the sign element is either directly produced by a neon tube or an independent sign element is employed and the desired illumination thereof secured through the instrumentality of a neon tube. My sign is particularly adapted for association with motor vehicles and when so associated the illumination of the neon 1o tube is effected through connection with the electrical system of the vehicle, the tube or tubes, as the case may be, being included in the secondary or high tension circuit of such system.

It is the purpose of my invention to provide a sign of the type specified embodying a casing with a neon tube or tubes therein, together with a novel construction for mounting the tubes and electrically connecting them without the casing to a source of current, the aforesaid mounting construction being designed to avoid breakage or displacement of the tube or tubes, under the influence of vibration, while the aforesaid electrical connections are of such flexibility as-to readily respond to vibrations without derangement thereof and without imposing any breaking a strain upon the tube.

A further purpose of m invention is to provide a sign casing whic is divided into front and rear compartments by a transverse partition with a neon tube mounted in each compartment. Such casing being adapted for mounting upon the top of a vehicle, so as to provide distinct illuminated signs visible respectively from the front and rear. This construction of casing is also particularly adapted for use in connection with taxicabs wherein it is mounted so that the rear. sign in the casing will be constantly visible to passengers within the passenger compartment of the cab. When used in the latter connection the illumination of the sign visible from the front may be so constructed that when illuminated it will indicate that the cab is vacant, such illumination being under the control of the driver through the instrumentality of a readily accessible switch.

With the foregoing and other purposes in View my invention consists in the details of Serial No. 542,999.

with the front or sign element removed and disclosing the illuminating neon tube and its mounting;

Figure 3, a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Figure 4, a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fi re 5, a rear view of the case showing the neon tube employed in the rear compartment together with its mounting. and connections Figure 6, a front view of a cylindrical identifying lamp embodying my invention, such lamps being commonly used on taxicabs to indicate the type of vehicle as it approaches;

Figure 7, a section on the line 77 of Figure 6; and

Figure 8, a diagrammatic view showing the wiring connections betweenthe vehicle battery, vibrator 'coil'and signs.

Referring to the drawings A indicates 'a taxicab, whose ignition system embodies a battery B, and vibrator coil C, which latter is enclosed in a metallic case grounded with the vehicle for a purpose that will presently appear. This metalliccase is clearly shown in Figure 8 at 10 and embodies lateral wings 11 providediwith recesses 12 which receive respectively studs 13 whereby the case and the vibrator coil may be easily applied or removed, such construction permitting quick and economical substitution service.

The sign element of my invention is shown as comprising a casing D having a transverse partion 14 which divides the interior of the casing into a front com artment l5 and a. rear compartment 16. rojecting from the partition 14 into the front com artment are studs 17, the free ends of whic are dished to form seats or sockets 18 fora neon tube 19, which in this instance is shown straight.

In order to hold the tube 19 to the studs 17 the ends thereof together asat 21. The outer end of the front compartment 15 is adapted to be closed by a sign element. In this instance I show the sign element as comprising transparent glass anes 22, the inner of which bears against rubber bushings 23 carried by and projecting from the partition 14. Between the panes I insert'a suitable stencil 24 formed to delineate the desired sign when the tube 19 is illuminated. A retaining frame 22 holds the panes 22 and stencil 24 in place and permits the ready removal thereof for the insertion of a different stencil when desired. Mounted on one side of the case D within the compartment 15 is an insulating block 25 which carries a binding screw 26 to which latter one end of the tube19 is connected by an easily flexed conductor 27, while its other end is connected to the metallic case by a similar conductor 28 through the instrumentality of a binding screw 29 mounted in the adjacent end wall of the casing.

Disposed in the rear compartment 16 is a neon tube 30 shaped to provide a different sign from that delineated by the stencil 24.

This tube is held in upright position as shown in Figure 5 by studs 31 carried by the partition 14, the free ends of which studs are dished to receive the tube. A wire 32 is laced through each stud and bound around the tube to hold the latter in the dished end of the stud. The tube 30 rests at its bottom on cushions 33 formed of rubber or any suitable material which is adapted to absorb vibration, said cushions being immovably secured to the bottom of the compartment 16 lfjy cement or in any other suitable manner.

isposed within and secured to one side of the compartment 16 is a post 34 of insulating material and on which is mounted a binding screw 35. Attached to this binding screw is one end of a flexible conductor 36, the other of which is secured to the adjacent end of the tube 30. Secured to the other side of the compartment 16 is a post of insulating material 37 similar to the post 34 and having mounted thereon a binding screw 38.

flexible conductor 39 connects the adjacentend of tube 30 and screw 38, while a conductor length 40 extends through the partition 14 and connects the screw 26 in compartment 15 with the screw 38 in compartment 16.

In Figures 5 and 6 I have shown my invention applied to an identifying lamp for use on taxicabs, such lamp being indicated generally at E and embodies a substantially cylindrical casing 41 having a lens facing 42 at its forward end. A bracket 43 supports the lamp from the body of the cab. Within the casing 41 I mount radially disposed tube supporting studs 44 which are dished at their free ends to form a socket or seat receiving the neon tube 45, the latter being bent' to form substantially concentric circles conforming to the cylindrical sha e of the casing, although it will be un erstood that formation or shaping of the tube 45 can be altered to meet the requirements of any shape of casing. The ends of the tube 45 terminate in parallel straight portions 46 and 47 extending transversely of the casing 41. A post 48 of insulating material is mounted within the casing 41 and carries a binding screw 49 electrically connected to the end 46 of the tube 45 by a flexible conductor 50, while the other end 47 of the tube is grounded to the casing 41 by a flexible conductor'51. The tube 45 is held to its seat on the studs 44 by binding wires 52 which are laced through respective studs and then secured about the tube by twisting their ends together. Vibration of the tube 45 is absorbed bya cushion 53 mounted in the bottom of the casing and upon which the tube rests. A conductor 54 lead ing from the secondary or high tension termiis connected with the screw 35. A conductor r 57 leads from the battery B to the primary terminal 58 of the coil C, while the opposite side of the battery is grounded to the stud 13 by a conductor 59 which latter has interposed therein the usual interrupter or timer 60. It'will of course be understood, as previously noted, that the metallic coil casing 10 is grounded as indicated at 61 and that the connections of the coil with the case 10, which are not visible, are such as to properly conform to the wiring shown. The tube 45 of lamp E is grounded through casing 41, conductor 62 and coil case 10. In order to provide for disconnecting the tube 19 to extinguish the illumination of the vacant sign element 24 I lead from the screw 26 to the exterior of the casing a conductor 63 which is grounded at 64. Included in this conductor is a switch 65 adapted in its open posiconnecting said tubes in series in an electric tetanus 16 is closed by the windshield of the cab. Should it be desired to use the sign on top of a vehicle, the compartment 16 can be closed by the application of a clear pane of glass. In the latter disposition both compartments of the signcould be utilized directl for advertising purposes with each presentmg a distinct sub ect matter. A stop clamp 68 is mounted on the conductor 63 within compartment 15 to prevent strain on the post 25 if a pull should be accidentally exerted upon said conductor.

I claim:

1; In an electric sign, a casing, a trans= verse partition in the casing dividing the latter into front and rear compartments, a neon tube in one compartment bent to provide a sign, a neon tube in the other compartment, a changeable sign producing stencil device closing the latter compartment visualized by the neon tube therein, and means connecting said tubes in series in an electric circuit.

2. In an electric sign, a casing, atransverse partition in the casing dividing the latter into front and rear compartments, a neon tube in one compartment bent to provide a sign, a neon tube in the other compartment, a changeable sign producing stencil device closing the latter compartment visualized by the neon tube therein, means circuit, and means for cutting out one of the tubes from the circuit.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

LOUIS A. KOCH, Jn. 

